Mast erecting apparatus and method



July 25, 1967 A F. L. JOHNSON ET AL 3,332,132

MAST ERECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l 76 I so so I i i I l0 I00 I 48 52 34 30 I I00 34 p 32 "*36 e2 54 4 u I 58 as 20 m C) 8 0 I I8 FIG. I

INVENTORS FORD L. JOHNSON a BY JOHN D. BENNETT MHATTORNEAYVSM July 25, 1967 F. L. JOHNSON ET AL 3,332,132

MAST ERECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8.

INVENTORS FORD L. JOHNSON a JOHN D. BENNETT BY July 25, 1967 O S N ETAL 3,332,132

MAST ERECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 31, 1964 FIG. 3.

a b T 1 NT 4 m E L WWW VHF. mmwB .1 L N J 0 w FIU Y W B J V ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,332,132 MAST ERECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD Ford L. Johnson and John D. Bennett, both Sun Oil Company, 505 N. Central Expressway, Richardson, Tex. 75080 Filed July 31, 1964, Ser. No. 386,570 Claims. (Cl. 29155) This invention relates to masts, and particularly to masts for use as communication antennas or supports communication antennas.

Telescoping masts, comprising a number of hollow, cylindrical, coaxial sections are often erected by hoisting one section off the ground, fastening the bottom of the first section to the top of a second section and repeating this process, adding further sections, until the top of the mast is at the desired height. When this method is used, it is necessary to fasten guy wires at various points along the length of the mast, and to maintain these guy wires taut in order to keep the mast vertical. Since, to maintain stability of the mast, it is necessary to provide at least three guy Wire anchor positions, it is ordinarily necessary to have three operators; one at each anchor position. These operators must maintain the guy wires taut at all times during the mast erection procedure. An additional operator is, of course, necessary in order to operate the hoist.

Masts of the jacknife type have been erected by pivoting mast members at the top of vertical base sections and pulling the mast members into position by means of winches fixed to the bottoms of the vertical base sections. Many complications, particularly the requirement for a large amount of room, are involved in the erection of masts of this type.

The apparatus of the present invention provides a method of assembling telescoping masts by which guy wire is fed out and held taut automatically while the mast is being raised. This is accomplished by providing a mast hoisting tripod, at the bases of the legs of which are mounted guy wire feeding sheaves which deliver only the amount of guy Wire required by the upward move ment of the top of the mast.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus for the erection of telescoping masts in which the proper amount of guy wire to permit the mast to move vertically is supplied automatically.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for the erection of telescoping masts which requires a minimum number of operators.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mast and assembly apparatus which may be packed in a minimum space when disassembled.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a mast which may be rotated in its entirety when assembled.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a tripod and a single top section of a mast;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a hoisting tripod and a mast section;

FIGURE 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of a tripod leg anchor;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section of a top bearing assembly mounted on a top section of a mast;

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section showing particularly a hoist clamp assembly;

FIGURE 6 is an elevation of a mast section joint;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a mast section provided with a guy wire spreader assembly;

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FIGURE 8 is an elevation of the guy wire spreader assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a partially assembled mast;

FIGURE 10 is a similar elevation of a partially assembled mast provided with two guy wire spreader assemblies; and

FIGURE 11 is a similar elevation of a fully erected and guyed mast.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a tripod assembly 2 is shown, comprising leg assemblies 4, 6 and 8. Since leg assemblies 4, 6 and 8 are identical, only assembly 4 will be described in detail.

Leg assembly 4 comprises two joined, tubular sections 10 and 11. Tubular section 11 is pivoted at its lower end on a bolt 12 extending through vertical plates 14 and 16. Vertical plates 14 and 16 are welded to a horizontal base plate 18. A sheave 20, rotatable between plates 14 and 16, is provided. A pair of triangular brackets 22 are fixed to the upper end of tubular section 10 by means of bolts 24. Upper and lower combination rollers and sheaves 26 and 28, respectively, are provided between plates 22.

The components of leg assembly 8, corresponding to identical components in leg assembly 4, are given corresponding numbers primed. The components of leg assembly 6, corresponding to identical components in leg assembly 4 are given corresponding numbers doubleprimed. A winch 30, comprising a U-shaped frame 32, is fixed to tubular section 11' of leg assembly 8 by means of U-bolts 34. A hoisting line take-up reel 36, geared to a crank 38, is adapted to rotate within frame 32 on bearing pin 40.

A set of coil springs 41 are provided between adjacent plates 22 and 22', 22 and 22" and 22' and 22". These coil springs serve to force the combination sheaves and rollers on the tripod legs against a hollow, cylindrical mast section 42. Mast section 42 is engaged by combination rollers and sheaves 26 and 28 on tripod leg assembly 4, by combination sheaves and rollers 26' and 28 on leg assembly 8, and by corresponding combination rollers and sheaves on leg assembly 6. A journalled top guy anchor assembly 44 (FIGURE 4) is bolted to the top of mast section 42 by means of a transverse bolt 46. A clamp assembly 48 (FIGURE 5) is fixed to the bottom portion of mast section 42 by means of a bolt 50.

A guy wire 52 is attached at one end to top guy wire anchor 44. Guy wire 52 runs under sheave 20, over combination sheave and roller 26, and is clamped to mast section 42 by means of clamp assembly 48. A free length 54 of guy wire 52 extends below clamp assembly 48. Guy wire 56, attached at one end to top guy anchor 44, is shown running under sheave 20' and over combination sheave and roller 26'. Guy wire 56 is clamped to mast section 42 by. means of clamp 48. Again, a free end 58 extends below clamp 48. Guy Wire 60 runs over corresponding sheaves in leg assembly 6 and, again, a free length 62 extends beyond clamp assembly 48. A hoist wire 100, wound at one end around take-up reel 36, runs over combination sheave and roller 28 and is clamped to mast section 42 by means of clamp 48. A free end .of wire 100 extends below clamp 48.

Referring to FIGURE 3, a tripod leg 11 is shown pivoted between a pair of vertical plates 14 and 16. Base plate 18 is provided with holes 64 for the insertion of anchor stakes 66.

Referring to FIGURE 4, there are shown the details of the guy wire anchor 44 which comprises a cylindrical sleeve 68 provided with a circular flange 70 at its lower 0 end. Sleeve 68 is fixed to top mast section 42 by means of L-shaped clip '74. A guy line anchor ring 76 rests on ball bearings 78 resting, in turn, on flange 70 of sleeve 68. The space between flange 70 and ring 76 serves as a race for ball bearings 78. Three holes 80 are provided in the vertical portion of ring 76 for the connection of guy wires 52, 56 and 60. Ball bearings 78, then, serve to permit free rotation of the mast section with respect to the guy wires. Clips 74 limit upward motion of ring 76 when tension in the guy wires is unbalanced. Thus, ball bearings 78 cannot escape from their race.

Referring to FIGURE 5, the details of the hoist clamp 48 are shown. Hoist clamp 48 comprises two sections, 82 and 84, held together by means of bolts 86 and 88. A guy wire clamp 90, comprising a pair of threaded studs 92, a clamping member 94 and a pair of nuts 96, is provided on the outside of clamp section 84. A similar guy wire clamp 98 is provided on the outside of clamp section 82. Guy wire 52 is shown held in clamp 90. Guy wire 56 and hoist wire 100 are shown held in clamp 98. Guy wire 60 is shown held in a groove between sections 82 and 84 of hoist clamp 48. Bolt 50 prevents sliding of clamp 48 with respect to mast section 42.

Referring to FIGURE 6, there is shown a lower mast section 130 fixed to the lower end of upper mast section 42 by means of a bolt 106 passing transversely through both mast sections.

Referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, there is shown a guy wire spreader assembly 114 comprising elongated arms 116, clamped together by means of clamps 118 so that they are held 120 apart and situated radially with respect to a mast section 110. Members 116 are held in clamps 118 by means of bolts 120 which run through holes provided in clamps 118 and near the inner end of members 116. Wire clamps 122 comprising bolts 124 and clamping plates 126, are provided near the outer ends of members 116. Members 116 are desirably formed of an insulating material such as Fiberglas capable of withstanding both compressive forces and tensile forces.

Mast section 110 is supported by, and held in fixed relationship with a lower mast section 112 by means of a transverse bolt 128 through the vertical axes of both mast sections. Guy wire spreader assembly 114 fits loosely around mast section 110 and rests on the top of mast section 112. Rotation of members 116 about the bolts 120 is prevented by virtue of the curvature of the crosssection of clamps 118.

With regard to the method of assembly of the mast heretofore described, reference should first be made to FIGURE 1. Tripod 2 is first assembled and anchored by means of anchor stakes 66. A top mast section 42 is placed vertically and in engagement with the combination sheaves and rollers at the top of the tripod leg.

Top guy anchor assembly 44 is bolted to the top of mast section 42. Clamp 48 is fastened near the bottom of mast section 42 by means of bolt 50. Guy wires 52, 56 and 60 are threaded and fastened as previously described. Hoist wire 100, wound at one end around take-up reel 36, is threaded over combination sheave and roller 28 and is fastened in clamp 48. Raising of mast section 42 is effected by turning crank 38 clockwise so that hoist line 100 is taken up by reel 36. Mast section 42 is raised until a second mast section 130 can be inserted below mast section 42. It will be apparent that the length of guy wire fed over combination rollers and sheaves 26, 26' and 26" and under sheaves 20, 20' and 20" will be equal to the distance through which mast section 42 is raised. At this stage, the guy wire willbecome more and more slack as the mast is raised, since the guy wire is not taken up at the same rate at which it is fed out. This rate difference is due to the fact that the guy wire sections extending between the top anchor assembly 44 and the tripod bases are not parallel to the mast section.

When mast section 42 is raised, section 130 is bolted to it, as illustrated in FIGURE 6. A second clamp 48 is fastened near the lower end of section 130, and the loose ends of guy wires 52, 56 and 60 and hoist wire are fed through and clamped by the second clamp 48. The first clamp 48 is then removed from mast section 42. The two mast sections are raised by means of hoist wire 100 until section 130 is high enough so that section may be inserted beneath it. The steps involved in raising mast section are repeated for mast sections 110 and 112 using a clamp 132 in place of clamp 48. Clamp 132 is similar to clamp 48 but it has a larger internal diameter capable of accommodating mast sections 110 and 116.

Referring to FIGURE 9, when the top of mast section 112 extends above combination sheaves and rollers 26, 26' and 26", spreader 114 is assembled around mast section 110 and allowed to rest on the top of mast section 112. Guy wires 52, 56 and 60 are then clamped in clamps 122 of spreader 114. A second set of guy wires 134 are clamped at their upper ends in clamp 122 and fed through eyes 136 of anchor pins 138 (FIGURE 11).

i It will be noted that the insertion of spreader 114 causes the slack in guy wires 52, 56 and 60 to be taken up. The dimensions of spreader 114 are such that the lengths of guy wire extending between clamps 122 and the bases of the tripod legs are parallel to the mast. The amount of guy wire taken up by vertical movement of the mast will now be equal to the amount of guy wire fed out.

Referring to FIGURE 10, additional mast sections 144, 142 and are attached and raised in the same manner that mast section 130 was attached and raised. A clamp 146, similar to clamps 48 and 132, but with a larger internal diameter is used to attach hoisting wires and guy wires to these mast sections. When the top of mast section 140 extends above combination sheaves and rollers 26, 26' and 26", a second spreader 148 is assembled around mast section 142 and is allowed to rest on the top of mast section 140. Guy wires 52, 56 and 60 are fastened in clamps 152 of spreader 148.

Referring to FIGURE 11, additional mast sections 156, 158 and 162 are added in the same manner that mast section 130 was added. When mast section 162 is partially raised, a base plate 166 is fastened in position by means of pins 168, and insulator 164 is inserted in position between section 162 and base plate 166. Guy lines 134 are pulled tight and tied to eyes 136 of anchor pins 138. Guy wires 52, 56 and 60 are unthreaded from the sheaves of the tripods, pulled through eyes 136 of anchor pins 138 and tied thereto.

During the erection of the mast after spreader 114 is inserted, guy wires 52, 56 and 60 are fed out by the tripod apparatus to the extent required by the vertical movement of the mast. The guy wires are thus kept taut at all times.

This invention provides a mast which can be safely erected in a short time by a single operator. The spreader assemblies act as stabilizers during the erection of the mast, i.e., they support the guy wires so that tension in the guy wires tends to hold the mast stiff. After assembly is accomplished the upper spreader assembly acts as a connecting point for guy wires 134 and the guy wires 52, 56 and 60. With both spreader assemblies in position, three guy points are provided along the mast with only two sets of guy wires. This is desirable for stability of the assembled mast since it provides greater resistance to the effects of wind. The spreader assemblies act as tension members after assembly of the mast is completed.

It will be evident that, if a motor is provided at the base of the assembled mast, the mast may be rotated about its vertical axis. The mast will rotate freely within the loosely fitting clamps of the spreader assemblies. This provision would be desirable if the mast were to be used as a support for a directional antenna. Thus, the need for a motor at the top of the mast to rotate a directional antenna is eliminated.

The mast itself may be used as a vertical radiator if it is completely insulated from the ground. Insulators must be provided in the sections of guy wire extending between the top anchor assembly and the upper guy Wire spreader assembly. It is desirable to provide additional insulators spaced at proper distances along the other guy wires, these distances being determined according to the wavelengths to "be radiated from or received by the mast.

It will also be evident that either more or fewer mast sections may be assembled according to the invention and that various other modifications can be made without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of erecting a telescoping mast which comprises placing an upper mast section within a tripod having upper sheaves at the tops of its legs and lower sheaves at the bottoms of its legs, fastening guy wires at one end to the top of said upper mast section and leading said guy Wires under said lower sheaves and over said upper sheaves, attaching the parts of said guy Wires extending over said upper sheaves to the bottom of said upper mast section, hoisting said upper mast section and attaching a second mast section beneath said upper mast section, removing the parts of said guy wires attached to the bottom of said upper mast section and attaching them to said second mast section, attaching said guy wires to, and hoisting an additional plurality of mast sections by the same method as set forth for said second mast section, mounting at least one guy wire spreader assembly above at least one of said additional mast sections and fastening said guy wires thereto, attaching said guy wires to and hoisting still an additional plurality of mast sections by the same method as set forth for said second mast section, and removing said tripod and anchoring said guy wires.

2. An apparatus for use in the assembly of a telescoping mast comprising means for raising assembled sections of said mast in a vertical direction, means for attaching additional sections to the lower end of said assembled sections, means for attaching one end of a guy wire to the assembled portion of said mast including at least one guy wire spreader assembly fixed to a section of said mast above at least one of said additional sections, and means for feeding said guy wire including means for attaching said guy wire to the lowest assembled section of said mast, said spreader assembly maintaining the section of guy wire between said means for feeding guy wire and said spreader assembly substantially parallel with said assemble-d sections, and said feeding means maintaining said guy wire taut and delivering only as much guy wire as is required by upward movement of said assembled sections of said mast.

3. An apparatus for use in assembling a telescoping mast comprising a multi-legged support, a winch fixed to said support for hoisting assembled sections of said mast, means vfor attaching at least one additional section to the lower end of said assembled section, means for attaching one end of a guy wire to the assembled portion of said mast including at least one guy wire spreader assembly fixed to an assembled section of said mast above at least one said additional section, and guy wire feeding means, said spreader assembly maintaining the section of guy wire between said feeding means and said spreader assembly substantially parallel with the assembled portion of said mast, and said feeding means being responsive to upward movement of said mast and feeding guy wire at a rate substantially equal to the rate of upward movement of guy points on said assembled portion of said mast.

4. An apparatus for use in the assembly of a telescoping mast comprising means for attaching guy wires to a lowermost assembled section of said mast, a tripod having rollers rotatably mounted at the upper ends of its legs to engage sections of said mast, and sheaves rotatably mounted near the lower ends of said legs, said guy wires passing over said rollers and under said sheaves, said rollers and said sheaves constituting guy wire feeding means delivering during the erection of said mast only the amount of guy wire required by upward movement of assembled sections of said mast, means attaching said guy wire to an upper assembled section of said mast, and a guy wire spreader assembly fixed at a point above said tripod to an assembled section of said mast, said spreader assembly maintaining the sections of guy wire between said feeding means and said spreader assembly substantially parallel with the assembled sections of said mast.

5. An apparatus for use in the assembly of a telescoping mast comprising means for attaching guy wires to a lowermost assembled section of said mast, a tripod having sheaves rotatably mounted at the upper and lower ends of its legs, said guy wires passing over said sheaves at the upper ends of said legs and under said sheaves at the lower ends of said legs, said sheaves constituting guy wire feeding means delivering during the erection of said mast only the amount of guy wire required by upward movement of assembled sections of said mast, and a guy wire spreader assembly fixed at a point above said tripod to an assembled section of said mast, said spreader assembly maintaining the sections of guy wire between said feeding means and said spreader assembly substantially parallel with the assembled sections of said mast.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,675,211 4/1954 Regoord 254148 2,705,363 5/1955 Anderson 29467 2,720,694 10/1955 Hines 29467 3,183,581 5/1965 Lister 29155 X 3,248,831 5/1966 Jones 52-148 X JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Primary Examiner. THOMAS H. EAGER, Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF ERECTING A TELESCOPING MAST WHICH COMPRISES PLACING AN UPPER MAST SECTION WITHIN A TRIPOD HAVING UPPER SHEAVES AT THE TOPS OF ITS LEGS AND LOWER SHEAVES AT THE BOTTOMS OF ITS LEGS, FASTENING GUY WIRES AT ONE END TO THE TOP OF SAID UPPER MAST SECTION AND LEADING SAID GUY WIRES UNDER SAID LOWER SHEAVES AND OVER SAID UPPER SHEAVES, ATTACHING THE PARTS OF SAID GUY WIRES EXTENDING OVER SAID UPPER SHEAVES TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID UPPER MAST SECTION, HOISTING SAID UPPER MAST SECTION AND ATTACHING A SECOND MAST SECTION BENEATH SAID UPPER MAST SECTION, REMOVING THE PARTS OF SAID GUY WIRES ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF SAID UPPER MAST SECTION AND ATTACHING THEM TO SAID SECOND MAST SECTION, ATTACHING SAID GUY WIRES TO, AND HOISTING AND ADDITIONAL PLURALITY OF MAST SECTIONS BY THE SAME METHOD AS SET FORTH FOR SAID SECOND MAST SECTION, MOUNTING AT LEAST ONE GUY WIRE SPREADER ASSEMBLY ABOVE AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ADDITIONAL MAST SECTIONS AND FASTEN- 